Method of and machine for forming confections having irregular shapes



June 24, 1930. w. B. LASKEY' 1,765,872

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR FORMING CONFECTIQNS HAVING IRREGULAR SHAPES Filed Dec. 21, 1925 7 SheetEkSheet INVENTOR- June 24 1930.

W. B. LASK'EY METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR FORMING CONFECTIONS HAVING IRREGULAR SHKPES Filed De c. 21, 192

5 '7 Sheets-Sheet INVENIOR William Bart'lefl qsfiey ATTORNEY June 24,} 1930. w. B. LASK EY 1,765,872 METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR FORMING CONFECTIONS HAVING IRREGULAR SHAPES 21, r7 s s 3 7 7 INVENTOR Wzlk'am Barfleff L asZ-ey ATTORNEY w. B. LASKEY June 24, 1930. 1,765,872 METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR FORMING CONFECTIONS HAVING IRREGULAR SHAPES Filed Dec. 21, 192 s 7 sheets shet 4 INVENTOR 22/2 law/fey M ATTORNEY WEI/1' Bkrf .June 24, 1930. w. B. LASKEY 1,765,872

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR FORMING CONFECTIONS HAVING IRREGULAR SHAPES Filed Dec. 21, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Wl llz'am Barflez Laskey,

W ATI'ORNEY Jfine24,1930. WE. LASKEY 1,765,872

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR FORMING GONFECT IONS HAVING IRREGULAR SHAPES Filed Dec. 21, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 v INVENTOR William arzZe/e Lay/rt? BY,

\\ ATTORNEY w. B. LASKEY 1,765,872

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR FORMING CONFECTIONS HAVING IRREGULAR SHAPES June 24, 1930".

Filed Dec. 21, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR William Barf/elf L awkey Patented J ne 24, 1930 WILLIAM BARTLfErnLAsKEY; or BRO KLYNQnEW YonmfASsreuORro MASO 1\T,'AU & MAGENHEIMER;CONFECTIONERY rmnurncruame' COMP N OF'BROOKLYN, NEW

' *Yonkyn' conrormrroivlor vzEsryIRGmrA MErHonor AND MACHI E w roitiume coNrEorIous HAVINGIRREGU'LAR*SHAPES 1 Applicationfiled-Dcemberm, 19 25.,,Se1"ia1-1\To. 75,570. i I

I 'Jlh'is invention relates in 2 general to the rihefthods of, n mai hi slfor, f m -C 1: fections, and more especially toitheinetho ds 0f, and machines;for foriningiconfections and confection: centers. composed-of a plastic ma;

terial, semi-fluid in state,"lduring vthe form'- n p oc s -I1 i In practice, considerable difficulty has been encounteredin properly forming by machinery, confections and confection centers composedof a plast c mater ah seml-fluld n state during the forming operation, especially when such confections or confectioni centers were to be formed into certain predetermined irregular shapes other ,thanqthe; ordinary rec tangular shap'es. ,Such difiicultyhas been I pat l er r P n nc h n a min P 3 7 tic material having thegeneral composition of cocoanut,; peanut andffruit bars, patties andthe like,'such as plasticiniaterial having imbedded therein ormixed therewith certain cellular or fibrous ingredients, as, for, instance, shredded orcomminuted cocoanut, or nut or fruit elements, either chopped or inta' T. l 1o I. Tothisend, the present inyentionhas for a main object to provide ,a new methodof, and machine for, formingiconfections composed of a plastic material containing, more or less coarse components into certain predetcrrnined:irregularhshapessuch as candies like.

having a plurality o'f predetermined protru;- sions or an irregular surfacedefining the projectingfibrous or cellular coarse components contained'in nut 'bars,:cocoanut.bars and the templates I a method ti'or forming by,

chi ery ncpr ete m d irr gu s pes, pla'stie material .contalning more- .or less ar e c mp n n s h 'met qdi n ist e in gathering predetermined units of mate rial,form1 ng thes des of said unlts durlng such; gathering'v'process, then. advancing such I ap s; P as m te i onta ning more or less. coarse components, such;method consisting inselecting apredetermined unit of'ma te rialrin a container by forming dies then opening a discharge mouth of said container,j

thereupon discharging suchiunit through-said mouth, thereupon forming the upper surface of said unit and severing the'finally completw ed; product from the unit discharged, and

plastic material, there being a dischargeopen' ing in said container, selecting dies for select -thereuponreturningto the containerthesur I ing and forming the sides ofa unit, a plunger for discharging, such unit, through, the I dischargelopening, forming dies for forming the V upper surface of the completed product and severing the completed productfrom the unit discharged, there being a return opening said container for receiving the surplus materialof the unit discharged,and a scraper cooperating with said latter forming dies to strip the surplus material from saidforming dies 2 and return it to the container 1 through sald return opening, the upper surfaceof said scraper preferably being formed to close the 1nit1al discharging opening of said container and to serve asa support and forming die to form the lower surface of the, succeeding product before it is discharged from thecontainerl, i ,v I V, e The present invention still further contenr' plates a method of, and a machine for. carryinglout suchmethod, vvhereby: a confection 1 irregular in outline. in imitation of. a hand formed confection'may be produced, having the fiuffy inner texture andlthe irregular out-V er surfaceot a hand-made product outlining and defining the; portions} of coarse components such as cocoanut shreds coarsely" ground,nutproductsor nut products in the Whole which may project from the surface of 9 the pl astic mass. r; Toithis end, the finishingof the plastic, products ;is formed While the unit projected or discharged from the'container, is maintained i-nia suspended position While. still, in a semi-fluid, condition thereby permitting it to expand to its normal fluffy texture before being deposited in its final shape.

The present invention 7 alsov contemplates advantagesofthe inventionwill appear from the subjoined detail" description of a method.

forming, by example, a part of the present 7 invention, and a; machine constituting one;

embodiment of anotherpart of the present invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings inwhich V Figure 1 is a side elevationof the'comp-lete-d machine.

7 Fig. 2 is an endelevationofthecompleted machine. t V Fig. 3 is a section on the line'33 of Fig.

2 with parts thereof removed and otherp'a rts' broken away. l

Fig. 4 is a plan of the completed machine .with the upper parts ineludi'ngthe tank re moved. v F lgs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are sections enlarged relative tdFig. 3 and showing successive'posii tions ofthe active parts relative to the posi- 1 tion of such parts'as', shown in Fig.3.

Fig. 9 isa'n elevation of the pawl action for I V to be heated and for this purpose-thewalls 71 and 9am preferably formed of copper and, V

the conveyor removed from the machine.

' Fig. 'lOis a fragmental side elevation show ingrthe lifting cam and vertically reciprocating-frame removed from the machine."

Fig.f11 is a fragmentalf side elevation showing the lever 'connection for actuating the.

former arms.

r Figs. 12 and'13 and end elevations respectively (if the tank removed.

' Fig. 14 is a plan view ofone ofthefiapper blades removed.

i 'Fig. 15 is'asi d e elevation and Fig; 16 is an i endelevation'of one of the flapper blades in position on a former arm, the upper part of ,the former-arm being broken away.

' Fig; 17 is a fragmental plan of the die plate by in the tank showing the discharge and return openings. I Fig 18 is anenlarged fragmental plan of apart of the die plate in the tank showing the flapper blades in position for completing a selection operation, the thereto connected former arm'sin-section and also the thereto connected p-lunger in'section.

Figs. 19 and 20 are fragmentaf 'side and end elevations respectively of the plunger, with the upper part of the plunger arm broken'away. a Fig. 21-is a bottom plan of the die 'at'the end of the plunger- V J 'Fig: 22 is afragmental end elevation of one of the cut-off knivesflsho'wingthescraper blades in'positionther'eon'.

I Fig. 23 is a fragmentalplan showingthe cut-off knives in engagement Withionean- Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a fragmental plan of ione end of the cut-off blades and scr'ap-erbladesshowingthe stop forlimiting the closing .inovement of the cut-0E blades. r In the embodiment illustrated, see Figsal and 2,there is provided a main frame having two lateral frames A and B, the frameA consisting of two' pairs, of side frame anem bers 1 which are secured to one another and spaced from oneanother by'suitable cross- 7 pieces 2, 3, and a platform P, and theframe B consisting of two side frame members 4. which 2Z3 and a. platformP. V The frame members land 4 in turnfare' secured to one another and thereby'spaced'from one another byfsuitable upper T -sections-5, and lower T sections arealso secured to one another by cross pieces 6., Above the T sections 5 and 6 between the said frames A and Bthe-reis disposed a tank T. This tank T preferably has two plane side walls7, 7 which have plane upper edges subjoining the curved lower edges 8. To the curved lower edges of the side walls 7 ther'e is secured the curved wall'member 9 form: f

ing thebottorn and end walls of the tank T.

The contents of the tank T maybe required comprise two spaced apart wall sections as illustrated in Fig; 3 to form a jacket forreceiving hot water, steam, orthe like. In the presentinstance, theacket is provided, with steam inlets 10 and steam'outlets 11. For

properly supporting the tankT in position on theframes A and B, the uprights12', 12 I ing arms 14' and 15. The arms'liare secured to the shaft 16 and the arms 15 tothe shaft 17 The shafts 16 and 17 extend across the tank T projectingbeyond the upp'er' edgesof the sidewalls 7 ,7 of the tank Tand are,

operatively supported int-he journals formed in. the upper ends of the A frames 18 and 19,

the frame 18beingsecured to'the platform P.

on the side frame A adjacent to the tank'T, andthe frame 19 being supported on the platform P supportedon the side frame-Bv ad jacent to the tank T. In addition to the arms are, provided vertically reciprocating plung 114: and15 also operating in the tankfT,.there ers 20. Th'ekplungers 20 are secured at jtheir upper ends to the cross-arm 21. The crossarm 21 is provided with sleeves 22 and 23 at its ends to reoeive theverti-cal guiderods 24 and 25. The guide rod 24 is secured in place onthe platform P by 'the 'support 26 andthe guide rod 25 is secured in'place on the' plat- 7 form P :by the support 27The sleeves 22 v ruptedthe full length of the tank atftheibot' and 23; are secured rto the vertically reciprocating brackets generally "designated-by the referencec-haracters '28 and 29 respectively.

The bracket '28 has 'a lower fcastin-g 'member 30provided with an opening to receive the rod-24l and is fixedly secured to thesleeve 22 by the sidebars 31. Theibracket 29'is provided with a casting 325 similar to the casting 30, whichhasan opening for receiving the rod '25" and is fixedlysecured to'the sleeve 23 bythe side bars 33.@

r The steam jacket of the tankT is intertom thereof from sidewall 71to side-"wall? to receive the bar34 which is provided: with a plurality of discharge openings correspond ing. in outline to the conformation of the shapes] of. the products .to be formed. Such openings are designated in the drawingsby the"i'eference.character 35.? :In the present instance there are provided six suchopenings 35.?Adj ac enttoeach ofthese, openings there is provided an elongated islot 36forming' a return opening, in the present instance corresponding to: the lengthlof'an opening 3 5 and' slightly narrower in width. The openings 35 o form discharge openings through which units of plasticfmaterial are-dischargedfrom the tank .T,-;and the openings 36vfor1ninlets'or return openings to permit the surplusmate rial discharged from the i open ngs, 35 to be returnedetothetankT; The discharge open.

shapes of the sides! o fwth e units bleing'discharged to guide suchunits as they are discharged and to maintain their shapes :a'sthey are discharged/1:; i

l In theioperation of themachineyithestank T is filled {with a plastic mass, from which units of various shapes are 'to beformed;

. VT-he machine is especiallyzadapted for formfiui'd consistency during; the forming process and containing therein" coarse components 'such as; shreddedl 'or, eomininuted coeoanut particles, or other fibrous or cellular coarse components such as jnut: and' fruit-part1clee either: comminuted for} :in the qwliole; ,The heating of the smachine; and thereby the heating. of": the contents thereof is provided in .order to; maintain the;contents iny a semifluid state if. the character ofgtheplastic mass is such that'he atzjs required to? maintain "a s'em-i-fiuid consistency whennheated iq the operation of this-machine,a plue v rality ofiunits are: seleeted'to: the tank T,- the sides; thereof initiallyiformefd during .1 such selection, jwhereupon such; selected units are extruded fr'onrjthe tank 1T: an afterbeing extruded and preparatory to being deposited ongatconveyor or the likefjfurther engaged,

.4?? theupper surface:thereofiforined, andthere- 'i ngs (35" are also shaped to-conform; with the ing units out of a plastic mass having a s'emiupon thesurphis" or excess material of the eXt ruded'- units returned through theopening s 36iI to the tank T. I

In the operation of this machine the selecting: elements beingithe 'firstto operate on't-he and described; 1 1 a p I me ma. V i The selecting elements consist essentially of the armsl l and 15 ,each arm 14; cooper? ating with an arm 15 to select aunit. In the present in'stancethere aref p'rovided six arms 14' and a likenumoerlofarms 15; 1 Each arm '14 alines with'its'cooperating arm 15. to form;

a pair, which are operated to move toward one another and from one another by means of the shafts 1'6 and 17 i which have secured thereon and in mesh "with-one anothe'rftw o sets off gears, the shaft16' 'havingseeured v V v units to beiextruded, zwill first be explained Jsa thereon the gears 37 and 38 and the Shae-17 having secured thereon the gears 39*and. 40,

the gearf37 beingtin mesh with the gear 39,

and the gear 38'being -in mesh with tliejgear 40; so that the, sha'fts 16 and 17- lwill be simulouslyoperate the arms 14 and15 toward one another and away from one another; 'On j the lower ends of each of the'armsl and'zl5 there-is formed a'flapper or initial side formin; die-plate 41.": The form of the fiappers ilandthemounti-ng otthesame on each of the arms'lt and 15- will be substantially identical and, 'therefore; it, will suflice to de V scribe-butone of thernand the mounting of the same-on oneofthearms1 1 Theflapper 41'asshownhin Figsnll, 15and-16;- -in the" presentinstance consists ofawasting, having plate ll may be pivotally securjed' t e-the arm I 14 in-any suitable manner; :l n the' present ins'tanc'e,'z the i pivoting; element consists rot two i ws 511 a d 2;,the., fe 5=l,-being screw-threadedly connectediin the ear 48 ,and

havingdts ftapered end extend 'into-ajtapered rifice-in n e d-Qf -r a i zserew 52'Ebeing screw-threadedly connected; in the ear; 4:12 randghaving its tapered end extend into the; tapered orifice in .-the}}otherend; of the ear- 50. fi.'jIn ithe operation 'of'jthese arms' ll I and 15, theplates ori flappers 141 of each: arm

will have their. irregular faees oppose one another I and was the arms sweep toward f one 7 anothen' the vflappers will -be spread outward 9:0 1 I taheouslyoperated and inturn simultane I r against the lower ends 53 of the arm's-14 and and come to a stop when the edges 7 54, 54 of the flappers "41 engage one another I formed the lateralsides thereof, I r

as shown inFig. 4LIn such position the fiappers 41 will have selected between them a unit of plastic" rmaterial and lnitially When the arms 14 and 15 swing away from j one another, the pivotal connection of'the ffiap'pers41'with such arms serves to facilitate the outward swing of the arms714and 15 to'reduce the friction in that the'flappers may be pivoted inwardly away fromithe ends or faces .53 of the arms 14 and 15, andfeather operating the arms 14 andfl5, it'will be dealong the inner surface of the wall 9 as shown in Fig. 3.

In'iorder to describe the mechanism for sirable at this time to describe the main drive and transmission fromuthe main drive to the -arms' l4 and 15-. s I i c -In vthe present instance, below the tank T between the side frames-Av and B; there is provided a supp0r-t'55 on which is secured a "motor 56 having a shaft 57 provided w'it'h'a wo'rm58, the shaft 57 beingjournaled at" its 1 outer end in the bracket 59. 'The worm' 58 ends'on the T'sections 6,;and'the' support V meshes with thewormiwheel 60 secured to the shaft 61 journeled in the 'supports 62 and 63,

the support 62' being mounted inthe present instance on the cross-b ar 62" secured at its 7 -63 beinginounted on the cross-piece 3.,"see

8 Figs, Land 2. The shaft'el extends beyond the'supportT-63 laterally of the {side iframe B [and 'has secure'd on such protrudingextension .the pinions 64 an'd '65; -The pinion 64meshes with the gear '661on the shaft'G'Zwhich is sup- -ported in the journal 68 'secured 'in placefon 'the' cross-bar 2 ofthe framed} the shaft67f extending across to the frame mend; there being secu sed' 'in;place by the journal 69 mounted on the cross'bar 2. The shaft 67 then extendsouts'ide of the frame A andihas securedonsuchprotrudingextension thegear J 70 which mesheswith the gear 71' mounted on the shaft 72Whichis journaled inthe brackets 73,74 supported on the-platform P of the sideframes'A. Suchsha'ft 72 eXtends be' 'yond the gear? 1' and ha's fixed thereon the 7 gear 75 'whioh meshes'with the gear-76 011 the J also supported onthe plat'form'P ofthe side frame A. "On: the inner end of the shaft 7 7 shaft :77 ,mounted inthe' journals 78-"and 79.

there is secured-the-icrank 8O1to theiouter end ofwhich i's pivotally connected the link 813' i Such link 81 has-,its-upper free end pivotally 7 connected to the gbifurc'atedbracket 82. l The V bifurcated bracket 82fhas1two forks 88'and 8 4 which receive between them the stop'V-faces' 85 j, -and86 respectively'ofthe boss87.'- The shaft 16 extends th'roughfthe boss 87 a'ndlhas fixed thereto the arm-88.;1wh-ich is pivotally' con nected' to the crotch of the bifurcated bracket 82 at 89. In neutral position the brackets and'84 are spaced from thestop faces 85 and 86. V In the operation of themachineythe V motor 56 through'the shaft 57, worm- 58; gear 60, pinion 64, gears 66; 70, 71, 75 and276 r0 tate the shaft 77- to actuate'thecrank .80, in

turn to actuate the link- 81, bifurcated bracket 7 82 and arm 88, to rock the shaft'16; e As the shaft 1 6 isreciprocated,"through the meshing of the gear 37 with'th'e gear 39, and the gear 38 with the gear 40, the shaft'17'willlikewise be rocked, whereby the arms 14 and15 willbe swung to and from one another. L

{It is desired that, as the flappers 41 of a 7 pair of arms 14 and 15e'ngage one another,

they will remain in such position for a Jshort' b period to permit the discharge of the unitsfrom between them before'they again separate; To'this' end, the-actuation of the crank 80 and bifurcated bracket 82 is so timed that when the freeend of the-crank 8O passes through its dead centersrelative to its con 'nection with the link-81, whereby the link 81 will change from its downward -p ullo'n .f the'bracket 82 to an upperthru st, and the likewise change-from its upward thrust to 5 its downward pull, such-idlemomentiwill'be exaggerated-bythe distance required for the fork'83- or 8 4 which has :not been invenga-gei ment withits stop face to moveover the dist'ance'betweenit and thestop faceltobe en- :55

gaged before the fork 83 or 84 will come into engagement-with its stop face. and cause the arm 88 again to'be-actuated; Of course,such V dwell will also take place-when the-'fi'appers 41 of the arms 14 and 15 a're in their extreme up'perposi-tionand at this position, they'will permit thefflappers 41'which have beenyde- 'flected away from the ends 53 iwhile the arms 14 and "15 recedefrom one another, gradually or slowly again to assume their poslitio n where they engage such ends 53 whereupon the arms l4'and 1'5'areagain caused to approach oneanotheri 1 r I f Thedisohargin-g elements v The next elements to function "so far as concerns the actuationon the plastic mass; are the elements fordischarging units of the plas; c tic mass from the tank T. i g l {Before the flappers 41 move toward one'anhave'rnoved intoengagementwwith e an J otherasshown in'Fig'." 5,'thefsc raper blades or pusher plates 90 whichhave an upper plane face 91,- are disposed in position: for closing the openings After ther flappers 41have engaged one another, the scraper blades 90 are caused to slide to one side into as position shown in-Figfieto clear theopeningfs85 mam s permit theu'nits-offplasticmaterial 1 25 i to begdlscharged' fromsuch openings 35.

' The'scraper bladesSQ are slidably' su'p'ported 'ln engagement with the lower faeeof the die plate 314, slidably engagingthe upper sur} face-of theprojection92; The scraperblades 13p 1 i are further guided by the blade carrier and secured to the scraper blade carrier185 which is pivotally connectedto'the link 93, the link 93 being piyotallyjconnected to the upper end of thelever 94 fulcrumed ontheshaft 95, journaled in the supports96which are mounted on the bars 97 supported by the T sections 5. v

' "The spring 98 connects the lower end of the lever 94 with the abutment 99 extending down from one of thezsections 5, as shown in Fig, '3, the spring '98' normally maintaining the camface 100 on the lower extension, of

the lever 94 in engagement with the cam 101' fixed onthe'shaft 102 journaled in the bearings i103 supported 0n the bar 104 which bar 104*in:turnis mounted on the bars '3 and2. I -In order to actuate thecain 101; the shaft 102 0n which it is mounted-has secured there- 'to-thegear 105 which is lo'cated'outside of the side frame-B on the' shaft 102 projecting be;

'yond such side frame-B. The shaft 102,213 shown in Figp2', is supportedfin'the bracket l06g mounted on the bar 3, and fisalso sup-e portedin theibracket 107 mounted on'the bar 2'1 -Such gear 105 mesheswith the pinion 65 on the shaft 61. The timingof the actuating "meansfor the scraper blades or pusher plates 9013 such that the scraper blades will move out of closingposition to clear the openings 35 after the flappersfll of apair'of arms 14 and 15 have come into engagement withone another and before'the discharging plungers descend to discharge the units selected by pairs fe'f flappers 11, and return to close the openings 'a'fter the plungers 20havebeen actuated into their descended position. 7 3' The plunger rods 20 which have secured to theirlower ends, as shown in Figs. 19, 20

and'21; a maledie forming head 108 terminating in the die 109 the lower surface 110 of whichis plane and theedges of which areirregular in the present instance having; rounded end edges 111,112, and each side edge haw 'ing two depressions 113', 1 14 to; formwith "the endedges 111 and-112 three laterally projetting e em nt's 115 1161iand 117 to be 'en- 1 ga ged by' the inner faces- 13541 and 45 of the flappers'fili "Inf oth fiyivo s, h P r i el r cooperates with jdie 109,?the' faces 43, 1 1;

, F 15 corresponding *toy and conforming with, the lateral edges .ofadie 109so, asto re- "ceive the die 109 in its 'downwardgplunge after the "flappe'r's" 41:1 have been brought into 'engagement 'with one; another and jthereup on, after lateral nioyem'ent of; the scraper blade pen; its dis'char geiopening 3,5,; permit i selected hysuclh i pairof flap'per's 41 to be 'e'xtruded or discharged throughjthejopenaresfighfly lai eer' th ses dies109 o permit but; otherwiseffin "contour, conformisubstan ally-s to theiconanaesthesia1 9; 9 a

ingifrom' one another, H In order to insure the ascent o'fthe frame '21 and thus maintain the rollers m engagement with the cams 121'and 122 at all he discharging openings35, see Fig. 17,-

In order to actuatei'the plungers 20,fand thereby the dies 109, the brackets 30and; 32

Whicha're connected thereto, through the side .barsf3ljand 33 respectively vand theicross head-21, are each provided with a pair of ears 1181to receive avshaft'119l The shafts 119 have fixed thereon thecam rollers 120 to engagethe cams 121 and 122' respectively, the" cam 121 being mounted on the shaft 7 2 and the cam 122 on the shaft 123 supported in theibrackets 124C and 125 secured to the plat form P. On theshaft 123 there'is fix'ed the gear126 which meshes with the gear 121? and the side frame 13.. Thus the gearv 65 being actuated by the pinion 64: on theshaft 6l will drive the shaft 67 which in' turn-will rotate the gear 70 in mesh with thegea-r-71 fixed on the shaft 67 between the geartfi t'o'rot'ate the shaft 72 of the cam 121 and also x1'"otate the gear 127 in mesh with the gear 126 on the shaft 123 to actuate the cam 122. The

cams 1 21 and.122.are,'of course, synchronized so fthatthe'y will simultaneously raise the braclretsQSO'and, 32 respectively to raise thev plunger rods 20 and in turn simultaneously permit the brackets 30' and 32 to descend in turn to permlt the plunger rods 20 to descend.

'The cams 121 and 122 with their tr'ansmission are=-timedrelative to the transmission of thescraper blades 90 and flappers 41 so thatthe'plunger'arms 20 will be causedto descend'after'the fiappers 11 have been brought into engagement with'one another after ha ing selected units of plastic material in the v tank-T and after the pusher plates 90 have been movedlaterally to clear the openings35.

The ascent of the plungers 20 in turn is timed to occur after thepushervplates -90 havebeen broughtinto-closing "position and while the flapper arms 14 and 1 times, thecompression"springs128 are provided which are tensed between the abut- Out- 07f blades f:

blades"; The cutoff blades ser eQnot-"only finally to determine the heightof the finished 'uni't o'fplastic material'but also serve'to form orshape the upper surface of the finished I product. In other words, the units'extruded It, t i 'or discharged through theiopenings 35' from 1 w the tank lihave a greaterlengthzthanthe finished product andjadvanta'ge isytaieniof 15 are reced this, surplus length; properly to size the -fin,--

ished product with regard to heightand also to-sh'ape or form the vupper-oritopsurfaces of the unit in a predetermined regular or irregular surface as desired. In the present embodiment, there are illustrated elements forformingumts ha v ng predetermined 1rregular upper surfaces.

to suspend the initially extruded 'or dis charged units and ..I1'1211I1t2111l them in a suspendedconditionrbefore finally shaping the upper surfaces, thus permitting the plastic units slightly to expand to regain their fluffy inner texture as distinguished from a compactor compressed inner texture.

six cutting blades 132;

-.In the present instance two such cutting 1 bladesl3 1and 132 are provided which move toward one another performing the severing or cutting operation as they oppose oneanother and come to astop at a positiohwhere they engage one anotherin cutting off position, see the position illustratedin F gs,- 23,

As shown in FigJl, thereare in'thepresent instance shown six cutting blades 131 and These blades act in pairs, each pair consisting of a blade" 131 r and ablade 132*,the shape of the blades 131 and 132, of course, is determined by the shape,

.of the upper surface of the unit of'plastic ,downwardly extending protrusions 133,134,.

material to beproduced. In the present instance, see Fig. 22, each blade 132'has four 135 and136 to d'efinethethree'upwardly 6X- tending depressions'137 138 and 139. The blades 131. are similarly provided with four downwardly extending protrusions 1 10, 1 11,

142 and 1 13 to define three-upwardly extend- J ing depressions 1414;, 145 and 1 16. The protrusions of the blades 132 and 131 being in alinenient with one another so that when they approach one another they w1l1,1n the present instance, produce upper surfaces that have three defined-protrusions corresponding 7 with the three depressionsofthe blades.

To determine the closing position of the cutsofl' blades 131' and 132 so that they will j ust-u engage one anothe'r andthus prevent heir edges being impaired should, 1 0 l) 1 1: reasonfthe timing of thetr'ansmission become out of order, a limitingstopisfprovided' which willftakethe brunt of the" shock in such event and thusipr otect the'edges. The

" limiting stops in the presentinstanc'econ "sist ofthe pins 216 and-217,sc rew threadediy connected to, and eirtending through th'e ends:

of the blade carrier 1 19 adjacent to the platforms? and Pf respectively, the free ends 2'18 and 219'resp'ectively of such pins 216 and 217 proiecting sufiicientlyto engage the-ropposin'g edge of the 'bla'decarrier 171. The

screw threaded connection o'f-the pins 216 L and. 217 with the. carrienlli). facilitates V the i v 'readyfadjustmentof the extent} of projection requ redforsucli pmsi2l6 and 217;-

'ssi

' In order to 'ireventthe plastic materialad- 'hering tothe blades,"th'e downwardly inclined It. is a'further aim of the present invention. .grees 459).

v "the machine. .edge's 147 and148, the possible bladesurthe position showui in Fig.

edges 1 17 and 148 are provided for the 131 and respectively, such edges inthe present instancebeinga continuation-of the blades proper inclining therefrom clown- 'w!ardly at an angle ofabout ,forty-fivede By means-of these downwardly inclining edges 14:7 and 1 l8, when the I edges 14? andl48'substantially oppose one another, there will merely be a single edge in engagement with the upper'surfaceof the severed unit thus preventing. the adhesion of the units to the knives through any 8X- tended area, and thereby facilitating the 1 separation of the units from the-blades 1 31 and 132. Inother words, dueto-theadh'esive character of the average plastic mass 0f a candy-composition, if the. blades were plane I 1 throughout, there" would be. a, tendency. to 1 .sibly; interfere with the rapid operation I-of With the downwardly inclined faces to be engaged is reduced to a, minimum, and thus the rapid depositing of-the unit after being severed, inducive to the rapid operation of the'machine, is facilitated.

. Thebla des 131and 132 are, of cours'e,'timed cling to thesurfacesof the blades and pos- -Y to approach one another andto engage one another for the cutting operation immediately after the scraper blade's 90' haveibeen actuated to one side, the right side in Fig. 5, and'after the plungers 20 havebeen actuated to discharge the initially formed units,

from the tank T," are timed to remain so in' engagementjwith one another until after the scraper blades 90 are again returned to closg' Y mg position, thG'POSltlOll shown n Fig. 3, V r where the'discharge open1ngs'35 are' closed,

whereupon the cutting blades ;.may then be actuated to separate from one another into des.

For actuating the bl 131 and132,='s ui tr 1 I able bladecarriers are provided; For the,

' blades 131 there 'is provided the blade carrier r 1419' consisting of an elongated bar extendingf a the full width of the tank "1" having lateral arms 150 fand1j51, the arm150 having down wardly extendingjournals 152 and153 torfeceive therod 15 1-." supported in the brackets 155 and .156 supported on the platform P'and thearml51 is p'rovidedJwith journals 157 and 158 for receiving the rod 159 to slidedlyf-rijde thereon, "tl'1e-' rod,159 being seeuredin the V "bracketslfiO and 161 mounted;on;tliep1at formP. In other words, the bladecarrier 1419 is guided in its-slidable movement to a g, 1

severing position by the slidableengagement of itsfjournalsl5f and 158 on the rod:159.; c F or actuating the blade carrier-1141 9, the abut,- i m'ents162ad3acent to the blades? 131 are piv-i 125 1 'otally connect-ed to the link- 163 whichisj piv- V 1 5 otally connected to the upwardly extending arm of theilever164.1which is1fulcrume'd to a shaft 165 journalled'in the bracket 1 66 sup ported on the bars 97. The downwardly ex- 1 30;

tending arm of the-lever 164 has a cam face 167 thereon for engagement by the cam' 168 secured on the, shaft 67. For resiliently main'tainingthecam face 167 in engagement -withfthe cam 168 there is-provided 'a'spring 169 which connects the downwardly extending-arm' ofthe lever 164withthe abutment 170011 the Tfsection adjacenttothe stand- ,v carrier171 is pivotally connected by the link 2 179 with. the, downwardly extending arm of fromthesame in the, action of the blades, each Forsupportingtheblades132, there is pro videdfltheblade-carrier arm 171 which .eX- tends-"substantially the full width of'the tank T andis provided with lateral arms 172 and 173, the arm 172 having upwardlyextending journals 174 and 175 slidablyvmountedon the the lever-164. In other words, the rocking ofthelever 164 will simultaneously reciprocate both the blade'carriers: 149 and 171.

- iTIn order to heatthe blades131 and 182-and thus facilitate freeing, .thevplastici material of: the blades 131 and 132, as shown in- Figs. 5, 6, 7and 8, has secured to its lower face, a conduit 180 provided withzperforations 181,

'tonpe rmit the steamyto pass therefronrand play along thebottom surfaces of the blades 131i a'nd'132 constantly to heat and to wash off such surfaces and thereby prevent the plastic materialwin 4 any way collecting von such surfaces- To supply steam or hot water tol such conduits 180,1 suitable inlets, not

shown,are provided,andto permit the same i -to pass therefrom snitableoutlets', notshown,

areprovided;

, -.fl mw a a The scraper or'pusherbla'des 90 notonly serve to close the discharge openings 35 while the-"fiappers 41 approachone another-inthe act of selecting and initially forming units but serve also to remove'the surplus material collected; on the uppersurfaces of the cut-ofi blades 131 and 132and'return such surplus material tothe tank T throu'gh the"return openings 36.1: As is clearly shofwnin F igs. 8,

' 5, 6,7and 8, the blades'l l and 132 are spaced,

fromzthe die plate 34 a distancei'sufficient to i permit the active scraping end :Qrpushing'end 1 184to pass betweenrthezuppersurfaces of the blades 131 and132 and the lower surface of the die :plate 34. :Thepusher ends 184 of the pusher blades 90.are merely the continuations of the blades 90 ezitending downwardly at an angle of approximately ninety degrees (90) fromthe main body portion of the-blades 90 surplus material,- see Fig. 3. V I For actuating the pusher blades and are substantially plane in surface having.

lower edges ,which conform 'to the corrugations or lrregularconformations lnthe cut-:olf

blades-131 and 132. l

'Thecutpfi' blades 181 are slightly; longer Fig, 3 to -permit clearing the return openings 36.,when thexblade's 131and 182 are in closed positionso -thatwlien the pusher blades then return to remove the surplus material from thenppersurfaces of the-blades 181and 132, the openings 86 will be free to receive such provided 'theiblade carrier 185 which'has i i 7.0 than the cutjoff blades 132 aszclearly shown 1n 90, there is i lateralarnis "186 and 187 The lateralarm 186 has downwardly projecting journals. 188

and 189 slidably mounted on the rod 1 54,'with the journal 17 5 of the arm 172 disposedbe tween them, and the lateral arm 187 has downwardly projectingjournals 19.0 and 1 91 slidably mounted on the rod 159 with the journal 17 7 of the arm 178 vdisposed between them.

189, 190 and 191, the pusher blade carrier,

185will: be guided in itsreciprocation- As shown in l igsi 3, 4', 5, and 7the link 93' is pivotally connected .to the abutment 192 formed on the carrier 185.

For receiving the finally formed units from the cut-off blades 131 and1=32,' a plurality of plates 193and 194 are-provided, one set of By means of these journal connections 188," 7

plates 193 in the present instance for receiv ing the units from the three discharge openings adjacent to the platform P andthe-other set'of plates 194 forreceiving the units from the discharge openings 35 adjacent to the plat-I formrP. ='The plates 193 are mounted-on the conveyor chains 195 ,which have extending I across themat intervals theprojectinglug's jecting, lugs 198' to formabutm'ents for the plates 194. j The conveyor. chains 19,5 and 197 at on'eend mesh with the sprocket wheels 199 and at the other end with the sprocket wheels 200. The sprocket wheels 199iare mounted on the shaft 201 supported in the A-frames 202 and thesprocket wheels 200 are mounted on the shaft-208 supported in the,

A-frames 204. For actuating theconveyor chains,the sprocket wheels 199 serve as the driving members being fixedly conne'cted'to the shaft 201., The shaft 20l see Fig.1 9,

has securedthereon a friction wheel 205 and has loosely mounted thereon the arm 206.

The arm 206 is pivotally connected to the connecting-rod 207 which has a cam ringv20 8 V mounted on the eccentriccamf209; The eccentric cam 209jis mountedon the shaft 210 fixed in the bearings 211-supported on the bars-2*a-nd 2. The shaft 210 has fixed there'- on the gear 212.which' meshes with the gear i 218 fixed on the shaft- 67; On the arm 206 105 l'96ltoform abutments for the plates 193 and' the plates 194 are supported on the conveyor chains 197 which are provided with'the prothere'is pivotallyconnectedthe friction pawl c 214, the free end' of which is connected by the spring 215 to the arm 207. 'As shownin Fig. 9, by means of this friction pawl, .the shaft 201 will .be intermittently: actuated. Such actuation is timed to take place immediately after plates 193-and 194thave received a set of finally formed units, and is timed to rest again as soon asthe'conveyorchains I 195 and 197 are actuated andspaced slightly more-than the width of one of the Qfinally formed Tunits.

;:The operation of the machine substanti- V ally'as follows: Preferably before starting the operation of the machine, the arms 14 and Marc spacedfrom one another as shown in Fig.3, with the plungers in raised position, I in whichposition the scraper blades 90 will ably heated, may be'poured into the tank T. vHot steam is preferably conveyed into the extend across the openings35 to close the same Thereupon the plastic mass, preferjacket formed byt-he walls 7 and 9 of the tank T to heat the walls 7 and 9 of the tank T in turn to transmit heat to the plastic mass, thereby-to maintain such plastic mass at a V i 7 temperature where it is sufficiently fluidto be easily-manipulated, 'Thereupon the machine may be started, whereby the flappers 41 at the lowerends of thegatheringarm's 14c and 15w1llbe causedto move toward one another fintjothe position shown in Fig. '5, there to col-" 4 'lect or select units of materialswhen the cutoff blades "131 and 132 are simultaneously caused to recede'from one another into the" "positionshown' in Fig. 5; thereupon the scraperiblades9O will be caused to recede to freethe openings-35, as shown in Fig. 6;

thereupon the plungers'20 will'be caused to descend into-"the positionshownin'llig; 7 where they will extrude the units'collected; thereupon the cut-off blades 131 and 132 will approach one another into the position'shown I in Fig. 8-to out 1011 the upper portions of the units collected and form the upper surface of theunits; and thereupon the scraper blades 90 will return into theposition shown inrFig. 3 to take this surplus material out 01f the tops of the units and return through the open- 'ings"36 into thetank T. As the units are engaged by the cut-ofl knives 131 and 132, they V will drop from the lower'edgesof the knives 131and 132 onto the tins 193and 194 carried by i the conveyorgchainsl195 and 197. Im-

mediately after the cut-off action of the knives v 131 and 132 taken place, the steam will be caused to issue from the openings 181 in the tubes 180 to strike the'lower surfaces of the cut-01f knives 131 and 132 to free the same from any material that. might there collect. It is obvious that various changesand modifications may be made in the steps ofthe'meth- 0d andin the details of constructionof the machine illustrated without departing from the general spirit of the invention as setforth in the appended claims. r Y a Iclaim: 1. The method material consisting in selecting a unit of malected unit, and finallyv forming. the top ofjthe extrudedunit after. ith'as beenextruded.

offorming units of plastic terial from axmass of plastic material conl tained in a tank, simultaneously with such selecting operation forming the'sides of the ,unit' selected, thereupon extruding such'sej l 2. The method of formingiaunit of plas V tic material consisting in initially selectingia unit of material from the plastic mass in a container, simultaneously with such selecting action formingthe sides of the unitsele'cteol, thereupon e t-rudingtheunit selected, and thereupon while the unit selected is still in suspended position, cutting off the upper portion of the unit selected to form the upper surface of the finally formed unit. 7 r f 3. The method f forming a plasticunit from a mass of plastic material contained in a tank, consisting in selecting a unit from the plastic mass in the tank and simultaneously therewith forming the sides" of'the; selected unit, and thereupon extruding the selected unit from the tank in a vertical direction to permit it to be suspended before it is deposited afterleaving the tank.

center selected, and thereupon shaping: the

upper surface ofthe same by removing portions thereof and simultaneously therewith returning the removed portions to theinitial mass. 7 I y 7 5. The method'of formingcandycenters or the like, consisting n selecting a candy center from a plastic mass ELHClSlIDHltZLIlGOHSlY there Y 1. The method of forming candy centers or thel ke, cons sting in selecting a candy'center V froma plastic mass, thereupon removing-the with forming the sides thereof, thereuponremovingthe' center selected, and thereuponf removing portions of'the center selected to form theupper surface thereof and simultaneously therewith returning the removed portions to the initial plastic mass.

6. The combination with a said support, and means forextru'ding the unit selected through saiddischar'ge opening.

7. The combination with a support for a mass of plastic material, of a pair of selectmg arms, operativelymounted relative to' support fora 'plastic'mass, of formers for selectingaunit from said plastic mass andinitially forming the same, there being a discharge opening in I saidsupport, means forlrocking saida-rms to y and fro, forming vblades atthe'ends ofsaid" arms cooperating with one another to select a unit of materialfrom the mass located on.

said support when they approach one an- 7 other, means for arresting the movement of said arms when the forming blades engage; one another after having selected a unitof material, and'means for engaging the unit gummed up with the plast cmatenal.

"" [mass of plast c material, "off a plural ty of i s moving such, selected unit;

eeted while the arms arearrested and, 8.1mm is bination} an s asms v massof plastic material, of aplurality ofselecting arms, operatively mounted rel'ative to said support, and forming: blades 7 pivotally connectedtov the ends of the selecting arms 7 andadaptedto passthrough the mass 'of plas tic; material on said support: in order to 7 selecZt l'a unit of plastic. material, the pivotal connection betweensaid armsand blades consi sti-ng of recesses in-ther'arms land pinsses cured to the blades and extending: into the recesses, whereby the pivotal i connection, of

thej'blades will be fprotected from being 9. The combination with *asupport for a ina' ssiofitlplastic materialfof afplurality of selectingarms, operatively .mounted relative to said support, and forming blades pivoltally I connected .to the ends 7 of the selecting arms to said support, forming'blades pivotalljlcohand adaptedto'p'ass through the ;mass' of plastic 'materialjon said support in theact of selecting a u'nit of plas'ticmaterialpthe'pivotal' connection between said armsand blades consisting of shallow tapered recesses in -the armsand pins "secured tofthe blades and extendingfin'to therecesses whereb'y'the pivotal connection of the blades will be protected fi r ela.. 5 0- Th mb' nation -hi s ppo f a mass of plastic material, of 'formerszoperaft-ively mounted a relative tovsaid [support for 'sel ting,a"unit from said plastic mass 1 and 'iiiit'iallyforming the same, there being a dis charge opening in said support, and a plung-' [er for engaging the unit selected and extrud ingthe same through said discharge'opening.

d 11; The combination with 'a support for a selecting'arins, operatively mounted relative nected to the ends of the selecting arms and cooperatingwith' one another to select; au'n'it: ofplastic material from the mass located on' said support, and a-qplunger for engaging the unitselectedand removing the same.

112; The combination; with asupport for a ma s of plastic material, of a pluralityfof I pivotally mounted formers operatively mounted relative to said support and cooperating with one another to' select a unit of material from the mass located on saidsupport when they approach one another, there being aidischarge opening in saidfis'upport, and a plunger for engaging the unitfselected land discharging the same f through said discharge opening.

' 13. :The, combination with altank having a =curvedbottom,"for containing a mass ofplasmaterial, of a pairliofn iformers pivqtally mounted to travelin afcurvedpath ofmove' m ent corresponding tothe curved bottomvof the tank and-i cooperating with one another 'unitg'selected: bysaid'former blades and dis 'chargethesame through said discharge open;

, c r plunger. from be1ng 'gummedup withlthe plasticfmaselect a unit o f'material when'tl1ey, ap.- proach. one another, there "being :a discharge opening in the bottom of said tank normally closed, a plunger for engaging the unitfse' lected and discharging the same through ing said discharge openingfduringfthe disa charging action of said plunger.

14; Thecombination with a support for a mass of plastic material,ofapair of shafts above said support, an arm secured to each of said shafts, means :Eoraotuating saidsha'fts to cause said arms to'approach, andrecede v i from, one another, former blades at theends of saidiarms cooperating with oneanothe'r" they approach one another, a plunger, a die located atthe end of said: plunger and'con".

there beingal discharge opening in said sup? (portconforming to the'shape o fthe die,'ia closure for said discharge openlng, means for j vertically reciprocating said plunger: to I cause said plunger to descendand engage the Denyse xto'selectl a'unlt from'the plastic mass when formingto thefaces of the former blades,

ing,iandmeans torio'pening thesaid closure during the discharging action of; 7 said 15. The combination witha support fora 1 able to select 1 a" unit [from said mass, there fbeinga discharge opening in said support, a plate 'forclosing said discharge opening while I said ,form'e'rs selecta ,unit and for opening actuated to open the same.

mass' of plastic materiahof blades operative-V 1y mounted relative to' said support for ini- Z tially selecting a'unit from said mass of mateiiial, there being-a discharge opening in is'aidsupporaja plunger for discharging the unit-selected 'thnough said discharge opening, andforrning knives for engaging the, unit-"discharged to {size and shape the same;

17. The cunbination'with asupport for a mass of 'pla'stic' material, of bladesoperativea 'lj mounted relative to said support )for' in itially selectinga unit from said mass'ofmaterial andforming the sides, thereof, there, being a dischargeopening in said support,'a plunger for engaging the unit selected and fimassof plasticjniaterial,of'formers actuatdischarging the same through said discharge opening, and.;formerblades engaging vthe unit while it is being discharged and cutting ,oflz portions'of-it to form and shape'its, upper surface. a v

18. The'combinationwith a mass of plastic material, of blades operativ e' 1y mounted relative to said support, means for actuating said bladesto approach one ana 0 saiddlscharge open ng, and means forjopenw 100 said discharge opening after the unit has been selected, andmeans for engaging the unit selectedand extending the same through said dis'chargeopening'when said plate hasbeen said sfelectedii i it to shapei'the pper surface there-f. 7 19;. The cbm hination with asupport for a mass of plastic material; o f a' pair of form:

ersj'operatively mounted relative to said 7 supfport-ffori selecting a unit; frqni I said 'mass, I means for remov ng. the 111111? selected, cut-ofi' knii es *for engaging the unit removed and Vformmg tslipper surface, and means for li ieistenihgfthe" knives to facilitate freeir g the sarhejfromthe plastic material;

a 20. Thefce hbihationWith a,supportifqri feperatively mounted relative" to said support ferreflipvingthe uriit selected; cut-off knives forleng agirig' the' uriit removed and forming V. the'sameifromtheplastlc mater al;

its u p r surfaca. and 'means for heating'and meistenihgithe ,knives to facilitate freeing I a 21." The comhinat'iori wlth a 'siipportffjer mass ofplasti'cmaterial, of a pair of formers eperatively mounted v relative to said .su'pper f i l c ing 21 "unitf wm, said m s,

finean'sl fer 'removingthe unit selected, cut

efl linives for engaging thef mit remoyed and fQriniIig'Qits Tipper surface, a perforated conii ie ,22' The comh'natiofrif Wi h support a gms's plastic mat eri a' 1,'0f apair of former's. eperativelyjmounted relative to said suppert for selecting a unit from said mass, means for remevingthe .uriit selected, cutofi kmyes Jfer engaging the unit removed and for il'fiig its iipper surface, a condiiit having per fg ratiqri's therein secured' to the loiwer surface; of

each knife,.;gi1i d niearisjfor condilctiiig steam,

into said coridhits t0 cause "the same .to iass thrgugh said perfqrations il to engagenieiit ,withi-thelower surfacesiof said knives'to free cling thereto thesame' OLE any plastic ,material that may 23; The comhinatienwith a support-pf or a I f mass of plastic material, of;- forrhers "operas i tii ely mounted relative to said-supportim selecting a unit ahdforming the sides there- 0f, means for discharging the .ii'nit downiwardly from said support, and cut-offk iives forferigagingthe unit as itis heing disand forming its upper surface, the "knives having cuttiiigQedges bent down- Wa'rdl yf'at an angle to main "bo dy ofthe iin'ass ef plastic'ir'iaterial, of a pair of formers;

Surface ef'the supp'or'tg I I i x; 26.! The combination itha' tank for a mass) of plastic material; ofside fqrniir g' blades, means for-actuatingsaid'side forniiin'g blades. 130' select a unit from aid mass-and 7 2 Thepoinhinationwitha support-for a v V 'atively lineuhted I raga-1 m said support; 61- J selecting a unit fror'rils'aid nass; there bein gh w a discharge opening in"saidf slipport," a

plunger fore-ngaging the unit selected'and' I s ha ing it down threiighfsaid discharge I iipehi igg c'tibofi' knives 'disposedibelow said su'ppprtand engaging the unit as it" is dis" v charged to remove the surplus iriateria'lffrbiri I its'rlpp'er end thereby to shape the uppersurfacefgof the" finally formed unit; ascraper a plate, and" means" for actu atirig' saidjscrapep plate to'tra erse-the upper siir'f aces of said cutoff liniye's to; remove the surplus material fl d d i I mb tionfwith suppqrt f rga 7' 25: Thee v V ma ss f plastid ]material, of :formersfor 'se' forsel tm aumt from said mass,- means i lectingfa uhitfremfsaidmass; there being "a discharge Opening in said 'sujppcrmaph nger for engagiii'g the unit selectedan'd f discharg ing'it'down throughsaid discharge opening,

cut-0E kni'vesjdijsposed below said support "and engaging the unit as it is discharged to I rem'ovethe surplus matefiaihfrom its upper end therehy toshape thehpper surface of the fihallyqformed Unit, a scraper; plate, and 9 knives to? remove "the surpl'us material there sina iltaneousl'y 7 form the sides thereof, there ledggdithere being areturhgppe ingii -said fsuppo'r't to receive the sqrplus materialg-flfom n s 'aidjscr aper plate and retur it tofthefl pp f I00 bei'iig a dischargeepenirigfin the bhtten Of lsaid tank, there be'ingh returnn e i g in Zth hdttein of said tank adjaeent'to said disf t gel p i gwil n e e ns O t ing said lung r tofengage they unitj selected and: discharg 7. it through-{said 1 discharge opening, upper surface forming means fb'r engaging the unit; dischargedda nd fbrm'i g the ppersurface thereofiflandfa conveyqrfbel'ow said upper surface; rmilig means, for receiy rig the unit fronisa d upper surface fiqimingf means. 7

{fer actuating Said: formers ate select a unit Qfr(jmsa'id mass, there being aijdischarge pen ing in the'b'otto'm'of "said tank, there being; a return (jpening in the bottom of saidt'ank "ad-jacenttq saidjdi 'ha g qpening, a; plu ger,

1jriea 'sfor Vertica1ly-' freciprocating said plufiger to engag'e the unit selected andjdis I charge the samefdow i-throughsaid discharge 7 opening, cut-Ofijh1ades,"mea1is for actuating,

said cut-off hlades'td removepertio'ils Of the The combination with" tahk a mass of plastic materialjpf fbrmers; means unit dischargedto form the upper: surface thereof, a scrapersvblade, and means for ac" tuating said'scra er blade to traverse the upper surfaces 0 said cut-off bladesto remove the surplus material'lodged thereon;

and return it to the. tankpthrough said turnopening. i r, a

28. The combination tank for a mass ofplastic material, .of'corrugated side forming blades, means f'oractuating the said side forming blades to approach one another and select a unit from said mass, and,

simultaneously form the sides thereof, there I being a discharge opening in the bottom of said tank conforming. to the lateral contour defined by the" side forming blades,

terial through saiddischarging opening, out

off means for forming'the upper surface of the unit-discharged, there being a return opening in the bottom of said tank, a scraper blade operable above said cut-off means to return the cut-off surplus into said tank} through said return opening, an dmeans-for causingsaid discharging plunger to start-its return 'movement when said "scraper func! tions to return the surplus'material to re lieve the pressure in said tank at said return opening.

I WILLIAM BARTLETT LAsKEY.

" there being a return opening in the bottom ofsaid tank adjacent to saiddi'scharge open-- ing, a plunger, a die on, theflower end of said plunger conformiing in shape to. the lateral contour defined by the side forming blades, means for actuating said plunger to engage the unit selected andpass down between said side forming blades todisch'argetthe unit v selectedthroughsaid discharge opening, cor- 1 face andan advance face havinga lower corrugated edge conforming to'thefcontour defined by the upper surface forming blades, and means for actuating saidv scraper blade to cause the corrugated edge of its advance face to engage andtraverse the upper surfaces of the formingblades to remove the surplus material lodged thereon and return it to the tank through said return opening.

29. The combination with a support for a plastic mass, of selecting arms, there being a discharge opening in said" support, means for actuating said arms toselecta unit from said plastic mass and locate the unit selected in position to be discharged" through said 7 opening, and means forlextruding the unit selected through said discharge opening.

30. The combination with a support for a plastic mass of material, there being a dis charge opening in said support, a closure plate for, the discharge opening, means for opening said closure plateto permit a,por tion of said plastic mass to. be extruded into suspended position, the; closure plate being planeto form a plane b'ottom s'urface'on the portion" being extruded, and a forming mem extruded, and formingan ornamental upper surface on said unit. f t

31. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a plastic mass containing tank, having a discharge opening at'its lower end, a plunger fordischarging a unit of maber for. separatingagunit from the portion 

